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THE FLYING VTA& PLAY/ N26. 



THE «TLAVE * 
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THE FLYING STAG PLAYS 

For The Little Theatre 



No. 6 



THE 
SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 



COPYRIGHT, 1918, BY 

EGMONT ARENS. 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



The professional and amateur stage rights on 
this play are strictly reserved by the author. Ap- 
plications for permission to produce the play 
should be made to Egmont Arens, 17 West 8th 
Street, New York. 

While it is hoped that the publication of the 
plays in this series will encourage their produc- 
tion in all parts of the country, it is held that the 
interests of the New Theater movement can best 
be served by vigorous protection of the play- 
wrights, without whom the movement cannot go 
forward. 

Therefore, any infringements of the author's 
rights will be punished by the penalties imposed 
under the United States Revised Statutes, Title 
60, Chapter 3. 

The Publisher. 



OCT I7!8i3 



The SLAVE WITH TWO 

FACES v v An Allegory 
in One Act by Mary Carolyn 
Davies v v as played by the 
Pro vince town Players. 



Published by EGMONT ARENS at the 

Washington Square Bookshop v New York 
1918 



THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

was first produced by the Provincetown Players 
at the Playwrights' Theatre, New York, on Janu- 
ary 25th, 1918, with the following cast: 

Life, the Slave Ida Rauh 

First Girl . Blanche Hays 

Second Giri Dorothy Upjohn 

A Woman Alice MacDougal 

A Man O.K. Liveright 

A Young Man .... Hutchinson Collins 

A Workman O.K. Liveright 

OTHERS 

Scene designed by Norman Jacobson. Produced 
under the direction of Nina Moise. Incidental 
music written and played by Alfred Kreymborg. 



>CLD 5C580 



THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

The scene is a wood through which runs a path. 
Wild rose bushes and other wood-things border it. 
On opposite sides of the path stand two girls 
waiting. They have not looked at each other. 
The girls wear that useful sort of gown which, 
with the addition of a crown, makes a queen — 
without, makes a peasant. The first girl wears a 
crown. The second carries one carelessly in her 
hand. 

FIRST GIRL 

[Looking across at the other.] 
For whom are you waiting? 

SECOND GIRL 
I am waiting for Life. 

FIRST GIRL 
I am waiting for Life also. 

SECOND GIRL 
They said that he would pass this way. Do you 
believe that he will pass this way? 

FIRST GIRL 
He passes all ways. 

SECOND GIRL 
[Still breathing quickly.] 
I ran to meet Life. 

FIRST GIRL 
Are you not afraid of him? 

SECOND GIRL 
Yes. That is why I ran to meet him. 

FIRST GIRL 
[To herself.] 
I, too, ran to meet him. 

SECOND GIRL 
Ah ! he is coming ! 



6 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

FIRST GIRL 
No. It is only the little quarreling words of the 
leaves, and the winds that are always urging them 
to go away. 

SECOND GIRL 
The leaves do not go. 

FIRST GIRL 
Some day they will go. And that the wind knows. 

FIRST GIRL 
Why are you not wearing your crown? 

SECOND GIRL 
Why should we wear crowns? 

[She places the crown upon her head.] 

FIRST GIRL 
Do you not know? 

SECOND GIRL 
No. 

FIRST GIRL 
That is all of wisdom — the wearing of crowns 
before the eyes of Life. 

SECOND GIRL 
I do not understand you. 

FIRST GIRL 
Few understand wisdom — even those who need it 
most — 

SECOND GIRL 
He is coming! I heard a sound. 

FIRST GIRL 

It was only the sound of a petal dreaming that it 
had fallen from the rose-tree. 

SECOND GIRL 
I have waited — 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 7 

FIRST GIRL 
We all long for him. We cry out to him. When 
he comes, he hurts us, he tortures us. He kills us. 
Unless we know the secret. 

SECOND GIRL 

What is the secret? 

FIRST GIRL 
That he is a slave. He pretends ! He pretends ! 
But always he knows in his heart that he is a 
slave. Only of those who have learned his secret 
is he afraid. 

SECOND GIRL 
Tell me more! 

FIRST GIRL 
Over those who are afraid of him he is a tyrant. 
He obeys — Kings and Queens ! 

SECOND GIRL 
Then that— 

FIRST GIRL 
— Is why we must never let him see us without 
our crowns ! 

SECOND GIRL 
How do you know these things? 

FIRST GIRL 
They were told me by an old wise man, who sits 
outside the gate of our town. 

SECOND GIRL 
How did he know? Because he was one of those 
who are kings? 

FIRST GIRL 
No. Because he was one of those who are afraid. 

SECOND GIRL 
[Dreamily.] 
I have heard that Life is very beautiful.' Is he so ? 



8 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

I have heard also that he is supremely ugly; that 
his mouth is wide and grinning, that his eyes slant, 
and his nostrils are thick. Is he so? — or is he — 
very beautiful? 

FIRST GIRL 
Perhaps you will see — for yourself — 
Ah! 

SECOND GIRL 
[As Life saunters into view at the farthest 
bend of the path. He walks like a con- 
queror. But there is something ugly in 
his appearance. Life sees the girls just 
as a sudden sun-ray catches the jewels 
of their crowns. He cringes and walks 
like a hunchback slave. He is beautiful 
now.] 

FIRST GIRL 
He has seen our crowns ! 

SECOND GIRL 
Ah! 

FIRST GIRL 
Remember ! You are only safe — as long as you 
remain his master. Never forget that he is a 
slave, and that you are a queen. 

SECOND GIRL 
[To herself.] 
I must never let him see me without my crown. 

FIRST GIRL 
Hush! He is coming! 

SECOND GIRL 
He is very beautiful — 

FIRST GIRL 
While he is a slave. 

SECOND GIRL 
[Not hearing.] 
He is — very beautiful — 



Life! 



Ah! 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 

FIRST GIRL 

[Life bows to the ground at her feet.] 

SECOND GIRL 
[In delight.] 



FIRST GIRL 
Life, I would have opals on a platter. 
[Life bows in assent.] 

SECOND GIRL 
Oh-h! 

FIRST GIRL 
And pearls ! 

[Life bows.] 

SECOND GIRL 

Ah! . 

FIRST GIRL 
And a little castle set within a hedge. 
[Life bows.] 

SECOND GIRL 
Yes— 

FIRST GIRL 
I would have a fair prince to think tinkling words 
about me. And I would have a strawberry tart, 
with little flutings in the crust. Go, see that these 
things are made ready for me. 

[Life bows in assent and turns to go.] 

SECOND GIRL 
Ah! 

FIRST GIRL 
See? It is so that one must act. It is thus one 
must manage him. So and not otherwise it is 
done. Now — do you try. 

[She plucks rose from bush beside her, and 
twirls it in her fingers.] 



10 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

SECOND GIRL 
Life! 

[Life kneels.] 
I have a wish for a gown of gold. 

[Life bows.] 

FIRST GIRL 
Yes! 

[And over his bowed head, the two laugh 
gaily at the ease of his subjection,] 

SECOND GIRL 
And a little garden where I may walk and think 
of trumpets blowing. 
[Life bows.] 

SECOND GIRJ. 
It is a good rule. 

FIRST GIRL 
[Calling slave back as he is leaving.] 

I have a wish for a gray steed. 
[Life bows.] 

Bring me a little page, too. With golden hair. 

And with a dimple. 

[Life acquiesces, and starts to leave.] 

FIRST GIRL 
[Calling him back with a gesture.] 
Life! [An important after-thought] With two 
dimples ! 

SECOND GIRL 
And an amber necklace! Bring me an amber 
necklace ! 

FIRST GIRL 
[Tossing away the rose she has just 
plucked.] 
And a fresh rose. 

[Life bows; turns to obey. The two are 
convulsed with mirth at the adventure 
and its success.] 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 11 

FIRST GIRL 
Life! 

[Life halts.] 

SECOND GIRL 
What are you going to do? 

FIRST GIRL 
Come here ! 

[Life comes to her. With a quick move- 
ment she snatches one of the gold 
chains from about his neck.] 

SECOND GIRL 
[Frightened.] How can you dare? 

FIRST GIRL 
What you see you must take. 

[She seizes his wrist and pulls from it a 
bracelet.] 

SECOND GIRL 
[Frightened.] Ah! 

FIRST GIRL 
Go! 

[Exit Life.] 

SECOND GIRL 
But why — 

FIRST GIRL 
He does not like beggars, Life. You see, he is a 
slave himself. 

SECOND GIRL 
He is so beautiful. 

FIRST GIRL 
Do not forget that he is your slave. . . . This rose- 
bush [Touches it] is a queen who forgot. 

SECOND GIRL 
Ah! 



12 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

FIRST GIRL 

[Pointing to bones that seemed part of 
bushes along roadside.] 
Those are the bones of others who forgot. 

SECOND GIRL 
But he is beautiful ! 

FIRST GIRL 
Only so long as you are his master. 

SECOND GIRL 

But he is kind ! 

FIRST GIRL 
Only so long as you are not afraid of him. 

SECOND GIRL 
But you snatched — 

FIRST GIRL 
Life is the only person to whom one should be 
rude. 

[They hear sounds of moaning and cries 
and a harsh voice menacing some un- 
seen crowd.] 

SECOND GIRL 
What is that? 

FIRST GIRL 
Come ! We must not be seen ! 

[Pulls her companion behind bush at side of 
stage.] 

SECOND GIRL 
What will be done to us? 

FIRST GIRL 
Hush! If he should see you! He is always 
watching for the first sign of fear. 

SECOND GIRL 
What is the first sign of fear? 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 13 

FIRST GIRL 
It is a thought — 

SECOND GIRL 
But can he see one's thoughts — 
FIRST GIRL 
Only thoughts of fear. 

SECOND GIRL 
If one hides them well even from oneself? 

FIRST GIRL 
Even then. But words are more dangerous still. 
If we say we are afraid we will be more afraid, 
because whatever we make into words makes itself 
into our bodies. 

VOICES OFF STAGE 
Oh, master ! 
Mercy, master! 

FIRST GIRL 
It spoils him, this cringing. It spoils a good serv- 
ant. As long as he is kept in his place — 

[A man enters and kneels, looking at Life 
off stage, in fear.] 

FIRST GIRL 
[Steals to man and says:] 
But he is only a slave. Do you not see that he is 
a slave? 

MAN 
How can you say that? Look at his terrible face. 
Who that has seen his face can doubt that he is 
a master, and a cruel one? 

FIRST GIRL 
He cannot be a master unless you make him so. 

MAN 
What is this that you are saying? Is it true? 



14 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

FIRST GIRL 
Yes, it is true. Even though it can be put into 
words, it is true. 

MAN 
[Starts to rise, sinks to knees again.'] 
Yes. I see that it is true. But go away. 

FIRST GIRL 
[Crouching behind bush again.] 
Ah! 

[Life crosses the stage, with a whip of many 
thongs driving a huddled throng of half 
crouching men and women. They kneel 
and kiss his robe. His mouth is wide 
and grinning, his eyes slant, his nostrils 
are thick. He is hideous.] 

LIFE 
You! Give me your ideals. Three ideals! Is 
that all you have? 

YOUNG MAN 
Life has robbed me of my ideals. 

WORKMAN 
He robbed me too. 

YOUNG MAN 
But I had so few. 

WORKMAN 
When you have toiled to possess more, he will 
take those from you also. 

LIFE 

[To an old man.] 
For twelve hours you shall toil at what you hate. 
For an hour you shall work at what you love, to 
keep the wound fresh, to make the torture keener. 

OLD MAN 
Ah, pity ! Do not be so cruel ! Let me forget the 
work I love! 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIE S 15 

LIFE 
Dog ! Take what I give you ! It is not by begging 
that you may win anything from me ! 

A VOICE 
Give me a dream! A dream to strengthen my 
hands ! 

ANOTHER VOICE 
A little love to make the day less terrible! 

THIRD VOICE 
Only rest, a little rest! Time to think of the sea, 
and of grasses blowing in the wind. 

A WOMAN 
Master ! 

[Life lashes her with his whip. The woman 
screams. Life draws back from them, 
and dances a mocking dance, dancing 
himself into greater fury, laughing ter- 
ribly, he lashes out at them. Several 
fall dead. He chokes a cripple with his 
hands. Finally he drives them off the 
stage before him, several furtively drag- 
ging the bodies with them.] 

SECOND GIRL 

[As the two emerge from their hiding 
place.] 
Oh! I wish never to see his face as they saw it! 

FIRST GIRL 

You will not, unless you kneel — never kneel, little 
queen. 

SECOND GIRL 
I shall never kneel to Life. I shall stand upright, 
as you have taught me, and I shall say, "Bring me 
another necklace, Life — " 



16 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

FIRST GIRL 
I must go now for a little while. I shall come 
back. Do not forget. 
[She goes out.] 

SECOND GIRL 

I shall say — 

[Life's voice is heard off stage. Second 
Girl cowers. Life enters.] 

SECOND GIRL 
Slave ! I would have the chain with the red stone ! 
[As Life submissively approaches, she 
snatches it from his neck.] 
And this I 

[Snatching at his hand and pulling the ring 
from a finger. The slave bows. She 
happens to look toward the spot where 
the bodies were, and shivers.] 

LIFE 
[Raising his head in time to see the look of 
horror. From this moment his aspect 
gradually changes until from the slave 
he becomes a tyrant.] 
Are you afraid of me? 

SECOND GIRL 
No. 

LIFE 
There are many who are afraid of me. 

SECOND GIRL 
You are a slave. 

LIFE 
There are many who are afraid. 

SECOND GIRL 
You are only a slave. 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 17 

LIFE 
A slave may become a master. 

SECOND GIRL 
No. 

LIFE 

I may become — 

SECOND GIRL 
You are my slave. 

LIFE 
If I were your master — 

SECOND GIRL 
You are a slave. 

LIFE 
If I were your master, I would be kind to you. 
You are beautiful. 

SECOND GIRL 
Ah! 

LIFE 
You are very beautiful. 

SECOND GIRL 
It is my crown that makes me beautiful. 

LIFE 
If you should take your crown from your head, 
you would still be beautiful. 

SECOND GIRL 
That I will not do. 

LIFE 
You are beautiful as the slight burning of the 
apple-petal's cheek when the sun glances at the 
great flowers near it. You are beautiful as the 
little pool far in the forest which holds lily-buds 
in its hands. You are beautiful — 



18 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

SECOND GIRL 
[Aside.] 
I think he wants me to be afraid, so I will say it. 
I have heard that men are like that. I am not 
afraid, but I will say it to please him. 

LIFE 
Are you afraid of me? 

SECOND GIRL 
Yes. 

LIFE 
Are you afraid? 

SECOND GIRL 
Yes, I am afraid. 

LIFE 
Ah, that pleases me. 

SECOND GIRL 
[Aside.] 
I knew that I would be able to please him ! What- 
ever I make into words makes itself into my 
body, she said, like fear — but she does not know 
everything ! It is impossible that she should know 
everything ! And it is so pleasant to please him — 
And so easy! I am not afraid of him. I have 
only said that I am afraid. 

LIFE 
Will you not take your crown from your head? 

SECOND GIRL 
No. 

LIFE 
There is nothing so beautiful as a woman's hair 
flying in the wind. I can see your hair beneath 
your crown. Your hair would be beautiful fly- 
ing in the wind. 

SECOND GIRL 

[Removes crown.] 
It is only for a moment. 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 19 

LIFE 
Yes, you are beautiful. 

SECOND GIRL 
[To herself.] 
It may be that I was not wise — 

LIFE 
You are like a new flower opening, and dazzling 
a passing bird with sudden color. 

SECOND GIRL 

She said that I must not — 

LIFE 
You are like the bird that passes. Your hair lifts 
like wings in the sun. 

SECOND GIRL 

He has not harmed me. 

LIFE 
Your crown is like jewels gathered from old 
galleons beneath the sea. May I see your crown? 

SECOND GIRL 
[Holds it out cautiously toward him, then 
changes her mind.] 

No- 
life 

Let me hold it in my fingers. I shall give it back 
to you. 

SECOND GIRL 
No. 

LIFE 
I shall give it back. 

SECOND GIRL 
If you will surely give it back to me — 

LIFE 
[Takes crown.] 
But your hair is lovelier without a crown. 

[Flings it from him.] 



20 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

SECOND GIRL 

What have you done? 

LIFE 

It was only in jest. 

SECOND GIRL 
But you promised — 

LIFE 
In jest. 

SECOND GIRL 
But— 

LIFE 
Ho-ho! Laugh with me. What a jest! 

SECOND GIRL 
[Laughs, then shivers.] 

LIFE 
[In high good humor with himself.] 
Dance for me. You are young. You are happy. 
Dance ! 

SECOND GIRL 
What shall my dance say? 

LIFE 
That it is Spring, and that there are brooks flow- 
ing, newly awakened and mad to be with the sea. 
That there is a white bud widening under the 
moon, and in a curtained room a young girl 
sleeping. That the sun has wakened her — 

SECOND GIRL 

[Dances these things. At first she is afraid 
of him, then she forgets and dances 
with abandon.] 
And now give me back my crown. 

LIFE 
You do not need a crown, pretty one. 

SECOND GIRL 
I am afraid of you! 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 21 

LIFE 
Afraid of me! What have I done? 

SECOND GIRL 
I do not know. 

LIFE 
Do not be afraid. 

SECOND GIRL 
I am afraid. 

LIFE 
I shall be a kind master to you. 
SECOND GIRL 
Master ? 

LIFE 
A kind master. 

SECOND GIRL 
You are my slave. 

LIFE 
I shall never be your slave again. 
SECOND GIRL 
And if she were right? If it is true? 

LIFE 
What are you saying? 

SECOND GIRL 
Nothing — 

LIFE 
You must call me master. 

SECOND GIRL 
No. That I will not do. 

LIFE 
[Leering at her.] 
Call me master. Then I shall be kind to you. 

SECOND GIRL 
No. I can not. 

LIFE 
[Picks up his whip from the path, toying 
with the whip but laughing to her.] 
Then I shall be kind. 



22 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

SECOND GIRL 

Master — 

LIFE 
It has a good sound. 

SECOND GIRL 
You will give me — 

LIFE 
Greedy one ! Be grateful that I do not punish you. 

SECOND GIRL 

You would not strike me? 

LIFE 
If you do not obey — 

SECOND GIRL 

[Whispering.] 
You would not strike — 

LIFE 
You must kneel. 

SECOND GIRL 
[Repeating.] 
Never kneel, little queen — 

LIFE 
You must kneel to me. 

SECOND GIRL 
No. 

LIFE 
[Raising the whip as if to strike.] 
On your knees ! Slave ! 

SECOND GIRL 
You were kind ! Life, you were kind ! You said 
beautiful words to me. 

LIFE 
Kneel. 

SECOND GIRL 
You would be always kind, you said — 

LIFE 

Will you obey? 



MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 23 

SECOND GIRL 
I shall never — 

[Life curls his whip around her shoulders.] 

SECOND GIRL 
[Screams.] 
Do not flog me. I will kneel. 
[Kneels.] 

LIFE 
So? In that way I can win obedience. 

SECOND GIRL 
Master ! 

LIFE 
It has a good sound. 

SECOND GIRL 
Pity! Have pity! 

LIFE 
Do not whine. 

[Kicks her.] 

SECOND GIRL 
[Rises staggering.] 
Spare me! 

LIFE 
I shall beat you, for the cries of those who fear 
me are sweet in my ears. 
[Beats her.] 

SECOND GIRL 
Master ! 

LIFE 
[Flinging aside whip.] 
But sweeter yet are stilled cries — 

[He seizes her, they struggle.] 
SECOND GIRL 
He is too strong — I can struggle no longer! 

[They struggle. Life chokes her to death 
and flings her body from him. Then, 
laughing horribly he goes off the stage.] 
FIRST GIRL 
[Enters skipping merrily. Singing.] 
Heigho, in April, 



24 THE SLAVE WITH TWO FACES 

Heigho, heigho, 
All the town in April 
Is gay, is gay ! 
[She plucks rose from bush.] 
Heigho, in April, 

In merry, merry April, 
Love came a-riding 
And of a sunny day 
I met him on the way ! 
Heigho, in April, 
Heigho, heigho — 
[Suddenly seeing the body, she breaks the 
song, and stares without moving. Then 
she goes very slowly toward it, smooths 
down the dead girl's dress, and kneels 
beside the body. Whispers.] 
She was young . . . he is cruel . . . [Touches 
the body.] She also was a queen. She snatched 
his trinkets. See, there on her dead neck is his 
chain with the red fire caught in gold. And on 
her finger his ring. But he was too strong . . . 
too strong. . . . [She stands, trembles, cowering 
in terror^] Life has broken her . . . Life has 
broken them all. . . . Some day ... I am 
afraid ... 

[Life enters, still the ugly tyrant. She re- 
mains cowering. His eyes rove slowly 
over the stage, but she sees him' a sec- 
ond before he discovers her. She 
straightens up just in time to be her 
scornful self before his eyes light upon 
her. As she speaks Life becomes the 
slave again.] 

FIRST GIRL 
[Carelessly flings rose down without seeing 
that it has fallen upon the body.] 
Lifel Bring me a fresh rose! 

[The Slave bows abjectly and goes to do 
her bidding.] 

U* 57 




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